Subject Description
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the administrative procedures and the supervisory functions required to operate a child care program. Emphasis will be placed on the development of technical and interpersonal skills that ensure an efficient operation.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Examine the roles and responsibilities of government as it applies to Early Childhood programs (i.e. social policy, funding and legislation)through the Child Care and Early Years Act

2. Identify the indicators of quality Early Childhood programs.

3. Describe the tasks and responsibilities of Early Childhood Educators in relation to legislation, regulations, policies and procedures according to the Child Care and Early Years Act

4. Advocate on behalf of children and families.

5. Identify the factors that impact on the development of a social policy and apply them in a discussion of a current issue.

6. Describe the funding mechanisms for Early Childhood programs at the federal, provincial and municipal levels as they apply to Early Childhood programs and predict the effect of changes in these funding practices.

7. Outline financial policies and procedures according to the Child Care and Early Years Act.

8. Interpret and analyze current legislation pertaining to Early Childhood programs.

9. Compare a variety of organizational structures in Early Childhood programs.

10. Outline procedures for staff selection/hiring and appraisal.

11. Apply knowledge of quality indicators to aspects of Early Childhood programs.

12. Identify policies and procedures in Early Childhood programs and describe how they develop.

13. Evaluate advocacy strategies.

14. Describe the characteristics of an ECE and professional practice skills.

15. Identify current federal and provincial legislation and practices in relation to ECE.

Upon completion of the Early Childhood Education diploma, students should have achieved the following generic outcomes and vocational skills.

1. communicate clearly, concisely, and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of audiences.
2. reframe information, ideas, and concepts using the narrative, visual, numerical, and symbolic representations which demonstrate understanding.
3. apply a wide variety of mathematical techniques with the degree of accuracy required to solve problems and make decisions.
4. use a variety of computer hardware and software and other technological tools appropriate and necessary to the performance of tasks.
5. interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
6. evaluate her or his own thinking throughout the steps and processes used in problem solving and decision making.
7. collect, analyze, and organize relevant and necessary information from a variety of sources.
8. evaluate the validity of arguments based on qualitative and quantitative information in order to accept or challenge the findings of others.
9. create innovative strategies and/or products that meet identified needs.
10. manage the use of time and other resources to attain personal and/or project-related goals.
11. take responsibility for her or his own actions and decisions.
12. adapt to new situations and demands by applying and/or updating her or his knowledge and skills.
13. represent her or his skills, knowledge, and experience realistically for personal and employment purposes.

Vocational Learning Outcomes
Early Childhood Education Programs(1)

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

1. plan curriculum* that is based on a thorough understanding of child development*.
2. plan and implement individual programs and curriculum* to meet the developmental needs of children*.
3. utilize a variety of observation techniques* to enhance work with children*, families*, and co-workers.
4. maintain responsive relationships* with individual children* and groups of children*.
5. establish and maintain safe and healthy environments* which best meet the requirements of current legislation*, regulatory bodies, and program policies.
6. develop and maintain effective written, oral, nonverbal, and electronic communications with children*, families*, co-workers, employers, and individuals/agencies.
7. apply relevant legislation*, policies, procedures, and regulations to early childhood education programs and settings in a changing social context.
8. apply a personal philosophy of early childhood education within the framework of ethical and professional standards*.
9. act in a manner consistent with principles of fairness, equity, and diversity* to support the development and learning of individual children*, within the context of his/her family*, culture*, and society.

Cheating and Plagiarism
Each student should be aware of the College's policy regarding Cheating and Plagiarism. Seneca's Academic Policy will be strictly enforced.

To support academic honesty at Seneca College, all work submitted by students may be reviewed for authenticity and originality, utilizing software tools and third party services. Please visit the Academic Honesty site on http://library.senecacollege.ca for further information regarding cheating and plagiarism policies and procedures.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecacollege.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Disabilities Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Prerequisite(s)
All courses in Modules 1 and 2.

Students without the required prerequisites must consult the co-ordinator before registering.
-All required documentation: Current Police Check, First Aid/CPR Level C, Seneca Medical Form.

Topic Outline
The following topics provide a framework for this course:

1. Child Care and Early Years Act

2. Legislation and funding

3. Policies and Procedures

4. Quality in child care

5. Current issues and social policy

6. Advococy and professional practice

Mode of Instruction
Subject content will be covered through various means and the student will be expected to participate in and contribute to the process of learning. Some of the more frequently used strategies are: lectures/discussions, small group activities, presentations, audio visual aids, role plays and readings.

Modes of Evaluation
Students must retain a duplicate of all assignments. All assignments are due in hard copy form at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be subject to the following penalties:
After the start of class to one week late: 10% of total assignment grade will be deducted.
Second week late: 20% of total assignment grade will be deducted . If the assignment is not submitted within the two weeks after the due date it will be assumed that the student chooses not to submit the assignment and a grade of 0 will be assigned. The final grade will be calculated by adding the grades for the assignments submitted.

Students must request an extension for assignments in writing before the assignment due date. Extensions will be granted on an individual basis and many require submission of documentation to verify lateness. The instructor will determine any grade penalty that may apply.
Assignments / Presentations are to be grammatically correct, and marks will be deducted for errors in spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation. It is expected that students have a sufficient command of the English language to express their thoughts clearly in both written assignments and class discussions.

All assignments / presentations must be cited. Students are referred to the recommended Text "A Writer's Resource or the following web site for Seneca College library APA Style Guide for citation and Guide to Integrating Quotations (APA Style): http://seneca.libguides.com/apa

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all classes and assessments. It is your responsibility to cover any missed materials. Presentations or exams missed without sufficient documented reason, will result in a grade of zero for the missed assessment(s).